Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 8x4-inch loaf pan, line it with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy, five to seven minutes. Beat in the lemon zest. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 2

In another bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder, then gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture.

Step 3

Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, then sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.